EY Advisory, chance to get outta BO but low pay

So been doing MO role at a BB for close to 3 and half yrs now (I mostly did Product Control and Valuation Control at a top BB and doing PC now at a low BB). I am currently 25, and I make close to 97k/yr. Kinda got sick of this job and want a career change as I don't want to get pigeonholed into back office forever, and recently got an offer at EY Advisory (Not TAS).

Although the job seems more interesting (not the best consulting firm, I know) but the problem is that the pay is low. I will be making like 55k. I still have interviews at other places that may pay better, but at the moment this is the only offer I have.

Do you guys think its worth it to make the switch? Would exit opps at EY Advisory be much better than BB MO? I absolutely hate my current job and work environment and want out but don't want to get out for the sake of getting out as this will be my third company (want to stay for at least 3 yrs as I don't want to look too jumpy on my resume).

I also have the option to go to LSE for my MSc Accting and Finance in sep next yr, but dunno if this is the best option given my wrk experience and how shitty the economy is (finding a job would be a bitch).

Please advise.
Thanks.

 

MSc while working? doesn't sound like you're being too challenged at work anyway, may as well keep the pay and work towards something else. however, MSc wont get you in as an associate, you'd need an MBA. again, could do that while working, a guy at my firm seems to like his LBS eMBA.

"After you work on Wall Street it’s a choice, would you rather work at McDonalds or on the sell-side? I would choose McDonalds over the sell-side.” - David Tepper
 
Oreos:
MSc while working? doesn't sound like you're being too challenged at work anyway, may as well keep the pay and work towards something else. however, MSc wont get you in as an associate, you'd need an MBA. again, could do that while working, a guy at my firm seems to like his LBS eMBA.
No, LSE would involve me going all the way to London - I am currently in Asia...
 

I'm just a kid so don't listen to me, but I'd never give up a 100k job for something that pays half as much and a chance to go into something else. I don't know if this is an option, but can't you work hard at your job for 10 years or so and then make C-level exec at your firm?

Why not pursue an MBA? A VP of mine did MO/BO for 4 years or so, got an MBA at CBS and is now pulling in over 400k a year MM IBD.

 
Best Response

Which part of FS...?

I know a few people at EY (one of which lives with me), and I can tell you that your experience will vary greatly based upon which group you are placed in within FSO.

Regardless (and I hate to break it to you), the one thing that all the people I know within FSO agree upon is that it sucks and they'd rather be doing something else. You can definitely make a career for yourself out of it, but it will be equally mind-numbing relative to what you are currently doing.

The big4 should not be what you aspire to if you want to get of of BO and MO. Remember...the front office of a back office is still the back office.

Array
 

I think you should try to get into an MBA program instead of going for an MSc. If you are able to get into a top school you would probably be able to find a better paid job in a more senior position.

@ Cries What does "the front office of a back office is still the back office" mean? If you are doing consulting at McK or BCG (which is similar to EY Advisory, even if you have smaller clients, less exit ops,, etc.), I would assume it is considered front office...

I'm grateful that I have two middle fingers, I only wish I had more.
 

Having past exposure(through mini internships) to both areas, I would definitely not move to E&Y advisory from PC and take a 43% pay cut. In my opinion, you should think back to why you got into finance (e.g interested in capital markets, interested in investing, love IB, etc.) and refocus your full efforts on getting into the area you will want to go to work, while maintaining your current position. That means adding knowledge relevant to where you want to work(CFA, programming courses, valuation/modeling courses), networking within your bank and professional network, maybe working on a project (e.g analyzing stocks if your interested in breaking into Asset Management, etc.), and most importantly figuring out what motivates you. Position your current experience in a way that adds value (experience in valuation, strong product knowledge, strong accounting knowledge). This is just my two cents, good luck.

 

I would keep your current job and make the jump when a more suitable role becomes open to you. EY is not necessarily going to open up more doors down the road than your current job, in the end it will depend on YOU alone. I would keep trying to look for other more relevant gigs to your end goal without taking a huge pay decrease-have you looked into corporate banking? If you have the option go do a top 20 MBA, that'll give ya a shot at IBD

 

My current work environment is making me so miserable.... I really want out... Is consulting at EY that bad? I'm assuming the if the people I work with are better, my whole state of mind would be better as well...currently working with a bunch of 40 yr old women...it's killing me!

I also have an opportunity to do an unpaid internship at a fund.. Do you guys think that would be better?

 

Please trust me when I say dont rush into EY FSO.

I understand your struggling to stay motivated at work, but seriously, you will be perpetually angry with yourself if you go the EY route. Those fuckers at EY should at least start you as a senior associate since you have 3 years of experience doing the same shit they consult on. They are trying to take advantage of you.

Without any additional information, yes I would definitely take the fund internship over EY. Particularly if you are interested in investing, and its an investments/research role.

Array
 

Forget about the salary 97 to 55K is the same thing at this stage. What you need to focus on is not take the next job just to get out of your current job. You need to consider that very carefully. Forget about the masters at the LSE, the economy is shit, you'll have a 50K loan when you get out of it, you are in a good position to get a job. Don't get an unpaid internship, that's a joke.

Lateral into FO, and fight for it. No reason why you shouldn't apply for associate roles at other banks either. You are in the best place you can be - in a bank already! What will LSE bring you? People at other banks to interact with, you already have that. Talk to HR as well, they can potentially place you. I would hire a motivated individual from my BO 1000 times over some knuckle head I don't know.

 

As someone who came from FSO Advisory, made a move to a Hedge Fund and now works in Due Diligence for an Asset Allocator / Investor I can shed some light...I agree that a) all depends on which group you are in within Advsiory for the type of experience b) thats is a shockingly low salary for 3 years out and with valuable Industry experience since you will be consulting to the Operational Units c) You need to decide what your end game wants to be....i know this sucks but I can assure you as someone who looks at tons of resumes and in this environment the selectivity is through the roof and it takes almost the exact experience to get role at the 5-10 year level

 

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